Love Text Messaging? Quartz is the News App For You

Total Score: 28

If you are a news junkie like me, you are going to love the Quartz – News in a whole new way app. It delivers news in text message form and allows you to explore content or move on to the next message. It’s quick, interesting, and shows up nicely on your iPhone and Apple Watch. It is like having a friend keep you up-to-date with the news

Ease of Use Rating = 5It couldn’t get easier. You download it and make a few simple choices and you are ready to go.

Readability Rating = 4 The font is readable, but a little small. There is only an iPhone app. If you download it on the iPad you get much larger text.

Will You Use It Rating =5This app consolidates the news mixing political with business news and takes just a few minutes to check. Something to do when you are in line in the grocery store, in the elevator, or just relaxing at home. Who doesn’t have that much time for the news?

Downsides Rating =0 I haven’t run into any difficulties.

Consumer Review Rating = 4With over 550 reviews, it is being reviewed well. One complaint noted that you have to progress through the screens and can’t skim the headlines. That is a valid point, but you can stop at any time – it works like a text – message then a response. The Apple Store has it listed as an Editors’ Choice.

Why Do You Need This App Rating = 5 You will find this app helpful if you are just too busy to follow all the news channels. it is quick, easy and fun to read. And, if you are like me you just can’t get enough news, it’s a great addition to your sources.

How does it work?

When you open the app you get a quick tutorial on how it works. It asks you if you want notifications and allows you to customize those notifications. That’s all there is to the set up. If you want to change them at any time, swipe right and switch them on or off.

Anytime you want to get caught up on the news you open the app and it gives you the latest stories – and let’s you know the source. Today the articles were from the New York Times, Reuters, bbc.com, news.sky.com and qz.com.

After serving up five or six stories it finishes with a “you are all caught up” message and provides you with a humorous photo and usually has an ad at the bottom. The ad isn’t intrusive.

You can also get updates and view the messages on your Apple Watch.

It doesn’t get much simpler than this. I have had this app for several weeks and find time to catch up at least once a day. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Devices: This app can be used on either the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. It requires iOS 9.0 or later. The App was developed by Quartz Media, LLC. Check out their website for information about this app.